RUN HISTORY:

1.      It all started in a coffee shop in Sacramento California:

2.      In 1991 James Taylor and Adrian Garcia said, “Lets do a Motorcycle Run from Sacramento to the Yountville Veterans Hospital in support of our Vets.”

3.      The first year there 150 riders

4.      The second year there were over 400

5.      The third year there were over 800 motorcycles.

6.      By the fourth it got too big for JT & Adrian and they turned it over to the Viet Vets Motorcycle club and the Wild Pigs, a Police Club.

7.      The big winners were the vets.

8.      In 1994 over 2,000 Motorcycles rode to the hospital.

9.      They’ve done the run every year since.  In 2008 it was the 17^th annual and there were 850 motorcycles for the Run.

10.In 2007 James Taylor and Tacoma Lodge organized the Elks Poker Run for Veterans.  We had 5 Lodges from Western Washington participating.  Tacoma Lakewood, Bremerton Olympia and Puyallup.

11.In 2008 we had 7 Washington Lodges and a boat ride.  Tacoma, Lakewood, Bremerton, Puyallup, Seattle, Burien, Auburn and the ferry took riders from Bremerton to Seattle.

12.We had 51 Motorcycles, 71 riders and over 100 people came to the party.

13. Now for 2009 We have 40 Lodges, one state and one Veterans hospital.

14.Every Lodge has its own sign up: Riders in your area register at your Lodge. Riders start from your Lodge.  Riders go to Lakewood Lodge and assemble for the Ride to American Lake.  The Pack rides to American Lake Veterans Hospital for the Party.

15.At the Hospital there will be a parade, there will be a dinner, there will be music and there will be veterans.

16.If your Lodge is more than a few hours away there are Motels in the Area offering Discounts to Riders.

17.You don’t need a Motorcycle to participate: Your Members can drive to the Hospital after signing up at your Lodge.  They get the dinner,  They get the Run Pin,  They get to enjoy the Party.

18.Local Lodges are having Pre Run Parties and Post Run Parties.  Your Riders Must Reserve Motel Rooms 30 days in Advance.

19.Each Rider’s Entry Fee gets them:  Participation in the Run.  Run Pin.  Dinner.  Entry to Party At The Hospital  Entry for Raffles.

20.Each Lodge Can Also Get: Trophies and/Awards for: Most sign ups. Oldest Rider. Youngest Rider. Oldest Veterans. Youngest Veterans. Longest distance Traveled. Most New Memberships from Run.

23.Remember There will always be Veterans, There will always be Elks and We will always honor them.

24.They earned it.